Crimper for boot or shoe packs



- o. GERHARD.

OOOOOOOOOOOO OT'OR SHOE PACKS.

No. 364,010. Patented May 31, 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

CHARLES GERHARD, or MERRILL, Wisconsin;

CRIMPER FOR BOOT OR SHOE PACKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.364,010,dated May 31, 1887.

Application filed February 19, 1887. Serial No. 323,198. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.- 7

Be it known that I, CHARLES GERHARD, a

' citizen of the United States, residing at Merrill, in the county of Lincoln and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Crimpers for Boot and Shoe Packs; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and-use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improved method and means for crimping boot and shoe packs. Heretofore such packs were con structed by the shaping of the leather over the last while moist and holding the same in position till dry by tacks. This process consumed a vast deal of time, and is the source of no end of trouble and vexation.

The object of this invention is to lighten the task of and expedite the constructing of such packs.

The improvement consists in having a crimper of peculiar shape, preferably com posed of malleable metal, adapted to fit about the toe portion of a last and hold the leather between it and said last. The leather is placed between the crimper and last, and is shaped and held to the last by hammering the crimper. This process conforms both the leather and the crimper to the last, and when the leather is sufficiently crimped and smooth the hammering ceases and the leather will be held in such position till fixed by the stiffness of the crimper,

, which will retain its shape after the hammeringorshapingprocessisstopped. This method dispenses with the use'of the tacks as heretofore employed for holding the pack or leather to the last after being shaped, and retains the leather as it and the crimper is gradually shaped to the last. The crimper can be used a number of times.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of r a last, showing a pack partly crimped. Fig.

2 is a bottom perspective view. Fig. 3 is a bottom of the insole.

In carrying out my invention, the leather B, which is softened by soaking in water, is placed around the last 0 and bent up about the sides thereof. The heel is shaped in the usual manner by cutting gores therefrom and sewing the seams together, and the toe, which is to be shaped-to the last, has the crimper A fitted thereto and shaped to the last by hammering. Each blow of the hammer presses the crimper closer upon the leather and retains it in such position, and also brings the leather and crimper into nearer conformity to the shape of the last. After the shaping process is completed the crimper isfastened to the last, preferably, by the two tacks b b,one driven through openings at each end of the crimper. The last is set aside till the leather is thoroughly dry, when the pack is complete and ready for use.

Fig. 3 shows a form of crimper in which the upper edge, a, near the middle, is provided with a series of slits, which extend a short distance into the body of the strip composing it, to facilitate the shaping of the crimper about the toe of the last, as will be readily understood.

It is possible, however, to shape it by the use of a forge, so that the slits can be dispensed with, and thereby make it more durable.

I am aware that shoe-tips have been made of metal which is composed of a portion to fit about the toe, a flange to extend beneath the insole, and a tongue projected inward from the middle of the flange to be secured to the Such tips are essentially different from my crimper and cannot be used in a similar manner. The essential feature of my construction of crimper is having the same made of a single stripbentapproxi mately in U-shape form to fit around the toe of the last and having a tongue, only,'projected inward from its lower edge, which tongue acts in opposition to the upper bent edge of the crimper and prevents said edge riding over the toe of the last during the proce'ss of shaping the leather blank to the toe of the last. lfa flange were provided on each side of the tongue, the blank would be drawn out of shape during the operation of driving the erimper up to the last, inasmuch as the leather upon the sole or near each side of the last would be caught by said flanges, as will be readily appreciated.

Having thus described my invention, what lclaim, and desire to seen re by Letters Patent, 1s'- 1; The herein-described method of constructing packs, which consists in first placing the leather blank upon the sole portion of the last holds the leather in position until it is conformed to the last, substantially as set forth. 25

2. The herein shown and described crimper for constructing shoe-packs, consisting of a single strip approximately U shape, adapted to fit around the toe of a last and extend about midway on each side thereof, the ends being 3c .provided with openings to permit the passage of tacks for securing the crimper to the last, and the upper edge near the middle curved inward and the rapidity of the curve diminished gradually toward said ends, and having a tongue projected inward from the lower edge directly opposite the curved middle or toe portion and adapted to pass under the last, substantially as'and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in 40 presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES G ERH ARD.

Witnesses:

S. M. Hon, J'. F. CANON. 

